How to Become a Travel CNA: Your Step-by-Step Guide
By Are you a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with a passion for travel and exploring new places? If so, a career as a travel CNA might be your perfect venture! Travel CNAs enjoy the benefits of supple assignments, substantial pay packages, and the chance to see the country while providing needed healthcare services. In this blog, we’ll teach you how to become a travel CNA and detail all the travel CNA requirements you need to fulfil to begin this stirring journey.
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What is a Travel Certified Nursing Assistant?
A travel-certified nursing assistant is just like other CNAs but always on the go. The primary role of a CNA is to help patients who struggle with daily activities like bathing, eating, and getting around. However, a travel CNA works in different locations. Instead of sitting over a counter at a clinic, they sign short-term contracts with various facilities nationwide.
This means their job is different from that of other CNAs. They travel, explore new places, and acquire experience working in various healthcare settings. If you’re a CNA interested in knowing how you can avail yourself of this facility, then keep an eye out because, in the next section, we’ll tell you how you can become a travelling CNA.
RELATED: How To Become a Travel Influencer: The Ultimate Path
How to Become a Travel CNA? Step-to-Step Guide
If you’re a travelling enthusiast certified nursing assistant, you have landed just in the right place. Becoming a travelling CNA requires some skills; here’s your complete roadmap to becoming a travel CNA:
Are you a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with a passion for travel and exploring new places? If so, a career as a travel CNA might be your perfect venture! Travel CNAs enjoy the benefits of supple assignments, substantial pay packages, and the chance to see the country while providing needed healthcare services. In this blog, we’ll teach you how to become a travel CNA and detail all the travel CNA requirements you need to fulfil to begin this stirring journey.
What is a Travel Certified Nursing Assistant?
A travel-certified nursing assistant is just like other CNAs but always on the go. The primary role of a CNA is to help patients who struggle with daily activities like bathing, eating, and getting around. However, a travel CNA works in different locations. Instead of sitting over a counter at a clinic, they sign short-term contracts with various facilities nationwide.
This means their job is different from that of other CNAs. They travel, explore new places, and acquire experience working in various healthcare settings. If you’re a CNA interested in knowing how you can avail yourself of this facility, then keep an eye out because, in the next section, we’ll tell you how you can become a travelling CNA.
RELATED: How To Become a Travel Influencer: The Ultimate Path
How to Become a Travel CNA? Step-to-Step Guide
If you’re a travelling enthusiast certified nursing assistant, you have landed just in the right place. Becoming a travelling CNA requires some skills; here’s your complete roadmap to becoming a travel CNA:
Meet the Essential Requirements
Before starting your career as a travelling CNA, you’ll need to lay the groundwork. These are some essential requirements that you need to have, just like a passport to travel. These include:
Become a Certified Pro
The roadmap starts with getting admitted into a state-approved CNA education program. This is your boot camp for healthcare. Here, you’ll learn about the ins and outs of patient care. You’ll be taught how to perform simple tasks like taking vitals and helping patients with everyday needs. To become a CNA, you must pass the exam with flying colors. Once you pass it, you officially get the title of a ‘Certified Nursing Assistant.’
Gain Real-world Experience
More than getting the title and passing the exam is required. You need to put in more hard work. To become a travelling CNA, you must work in the healthcare sector. Why so? Most agencies prefer CNAs that have put their skills into practice.
To gain experience, consider working in a nursing home, hospital, or clinic during your apprenticeship. Working for a year or two will help you master the rhythm of patient care, get comfortable working in different settings, and, most importantly, become confident in your skills and abilities.
Pro tip: While gaining experience, keep a journal with you on the go to track any special procedures you learn or areas where you think you need improvement or have become skilled. You can use them as highlights in your resume, making your profile more appealing to travel agencies.
Get Organized
After getting certified and experienced, it’s time to pack your vital suitcase for success. Here are a couple of steps you need to take to get organized:
Gather your Documents
A certified nursing assistant license is your golden ticket to become a travel nurse. Keep all the important documents in one place and up-to-date. These documents of yours are proof of your dedication and hard work. Other documents, along with other important certifications and immunization records, might be needed.
Build a Strong Resume
A resume is not just a piece of paper or a list of all your jobs over the years. It’s a chance to show your passion, capabilities, and talent for patient care. Talk about your journey. Highlight the amazing experience and skills you have mastered over the years.
When it comes to resumes, less is less. Flaunt everything about yourself, such as if you managed to work in a challenging setting or were referred by a family or patient. Weave together all these minor details together in your resume. This will show your capabilities as a CNA and your love for humanity.
Pro tip: Consider getting certifications in other areas to improve your skill set. Many CNA certification programs offer specialised training. Obtaining these additional certifications will open up more doors of opportunities for you.
Find a Travel CNA Agency
Choosing the right travel agency can make or break your career. It’s like picking a travel partner you can trust and rely on. Before choosing one, do your complete homework and focus on the agencies well aware of the ins and outs of the nursing world.
Visit their website and other reliable forums to see what other CNAs have to say about them (online reviews). Most importantly, compare what different agencies are offering, such as the pay package, type of assignments, and additional benefits.
Always remember that you should carefully choose your travel agency, which will help you boost your career in numerous ways.
Prepare for the Adventure
It’s time to fly out and explore the new horizons. Being a travel CNA, you can come across various things while you’re on the move. So here’s how to be prepared for it:
Licensure in Multiple States
Being a travelling nurse assistant means crossing the state lines, too. This seems exciting, but you need to get licensed to operate in multiple states if required. Your travel agency will help you with this case. They will handle all the paperwork you need to work where you go.
Flexibility is Key
Being a travel nurse is exciting but challenging, too. Anything can happen. Assignments can be short or long in sunny cities or cozy small towns. The key to being successful during the tenure is to be adaptable and excited about the change. This will help you stay positive and reach your goals effectively.
Pack Smart
You’re a healthcare ninja who is always on the move. Look out for the tips and tricks that will help you to pack light and efficiently. Moreover, it will also help you to hop from place to place easily. Always pay attention to the essentials for play and work. In this way, you’ll always be prepared for anything.
Ready to Start Your Traveling CNA Journey?
If you’re a CNA who loves the idea of combining a fulfilling CNA role with a passion for seeing new places, then a career as a travel CNA could be the perfect path for you. Remember, after completing the necessary instruction hours for CNA certification and gaining some hands-on experience working as a CNA, you’re ready to take this exciting leap.
The world of travel nursing awaits, offering adventure, excellent CNA jobs, and the chance to make a difference in communities nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest pay for travel CNA?
The highest pay of a travelling CNA can vary significantly due to various factors like experience, location, expertise level, and specific crisis situations. Usually, travelling CNAs make up to $2,000 per week. The rates can go up to $3,000 per week sometimes.
Where do CNAs get paid the most?
Currently, California, New York, and Massachusetts tend to offer some of the highest-paying travel CNA assignments.
Which state needs CNAs the most?
The demand for CNAs changes from time to time. However, states with the following tend to have higher needs:
- Rural areas
- Ageing populations
- Underserved communities
How much do travel CNAs make in the US?
The weekly pay of a CNA in the US is approximately $2,000 or higher. The pay of a travelling CNA is influenced by various factors such as the location of assignment, experience level, current demand in the area, and specialty skills.
